Wanna Die for Love? Go

She continued, "Dario, just this once—listen to me. Marry Vanessa."

His face darkened, eyes cold. "Serena's carrying my child. I'm not hiding her or the baby. You all just want Vanessa for her body, right? Fine. She can be my mistress."

Then he looked at me like I was dirt. "Not like I'd ever touch her. She's filthy. Wasn't she always throwing herself at me anyway?"

Serena's face twisted. "Dario, she's still my sister—at least in name. If you marry me, how can she be your mistress? I thought you didn't believe in the curse?"

Dario shot me a glare. "You're not even good enough to be my mistress."

I laughed. Actually laughed. Couldn't believe how shameless he was.

The crowd stared at me—some with pity, most with judgment.

Beatrice's voice cracked. "Dario, how could you say that? Vanessa was your fiancée!"

I stayed cool. "Well, since everything's out now, let's wrap this up."

I dropped the flash drive on a wine table. "Dario, here's your wedding gift. Enjoy."

Then I grabbed my bag and walked.

Behind me, my parents and Serena were screaming.

"Vanessa, if you walk out now, don't come back! You're no daughter of ours!"

"Don't think you can ruin me and Dario! He'll never believe you!"

I didn't look back.

At the entrance, someone was waiting—tall, calm, leaning against a sleek black luxury car.

Marco Morello.

When he saw me, his expression softened. "Vanessa Venier."

He stepped forward and opened a jewelry box—inside, a diamond ring catching the light like fire.

"Marry me," he said. "Everything I have—my estates, all of it—it's yours. I know what they've done to you. But I'll protect you. Love you. For real. For life."

I didn't even blink. "Okay."

We went straight to the County Clerk's Office and walked out with a marriage certificate, the staff staring like they'd just seen a plot twist in real life.

That night, I leaned into Marco's chest. My phone buzzed.

Serena.

[Vanessa, you're pathetic. Your real parents only love me. Your "fiancé"? He'd die without me.]

[Oh, and that $1 million cash gift and the Morello shops? Dario gave them all to ME.]

[Your parents cut you off. You're broke now.]

[If you beg, maybe I'll toss you a few bucks.]

I laughed out loud.

"Marco," I said, still grinning, "someone just told me I'm a broke nobody. What should I do?"

He smiled, totally unfazed, and handed me all his bank cards. "Babe, you saved my life. Everything I have? It's yours."

Right as I was about to say something back, the clock struck midnight.

My phone lit up and started buzzing like crazy.

It was Dario.

I picked up.

On the other end—pure panic.

"Vanessa... help me... I believe it now... the curse is real... please... save me..."

Then Serena's scream cut through the line:

"Dario! Oh my God—blood! Why is there so much blood?!"